Trying to adopt &or Legal Guard for Niece

[quadzilla200]

Hoping somebody can give us a place to start. We have decided to look at proceeding to adopt or become legal guardians for our niece. Her mother is not involved in her life and her father is making some bad choices.

If he is amicable to us doing this what is the correct process. She currently lives with her grandma, who has recently become disabled and unable to care for her. She has only ever had educational authority, but raised her as her own with no financial assistance. He is now threatening to take her and put her in a harmful environment that more than likely child services would be called immediately.

We have kept quiet about this option as we live quite a ways away from them. However, we are ready to proceed.

We do not want him to get all the tax benefits as he has over her lifetime. We basically don't want him to have any legal ties to her. I read that legal guardians can't put that child on their company health plans. Is that correct? It also appeared that I can't claim her as a dependent? Would he still be able to, or noone?

If adoption is required, what is the average cost, if it is staying within the same family and the mother/father have consented?

Thanks for any preliminary help people can provide.

 

[Proserpina]

Hoping somebody can give us a place to start. We have decided to look at proceeding to adopt or become legal guardians for our niece. Her mother is not involved in her life and her father is making some bad choices.

Where IS Mom? This is important.

If he is amicable to us doing this what is the correct process. She currently lives with her grandma, who has recently become disabled and unable to care for her. She has only ever had educational authority, but raised her as her own with no financial assistance. He is now threatening to take her and put her in a harmful environment that more than likely child services would be called immediately.

Because Mom will need to be involved, you should actually speak with an attorney - this looks like it's going to be quite complex. Is the child actually being abused? Endangered?

We have kept quiet about this option as we live quite a ways away from them. However, we are ready to proceed.

We do not want him to get all the tax benefits as he has over her lifetime. We basically don't want him to have any legal ties to her. I read that legal guardians can't put that child on their company health plans. Is that correct? It also appeared that I can't claim her as a dependent? Would he still be able to, or noone?

Frankly if Dad objects, you will not have a good case at all unless you can prove him unfit.

If adoption is required, what is the average cost, if it is staying within the same family and the mother/father have consented?

Thanks for any preliminary help people can provide.

Guardianship would be easier to obtain; but again ideally you need to be speaking with an attorney. These types of actions shouldn't be DIY projects, y'know?

 

[quadzilla200]

mom is a drug addict with a prison record. dad wanting to put her in an apartment with another man and his 3 teenage sons. she is 10

 

[Proserpina]

mom is a drug addict with a prison record. dad wanting to put her in an apartment with another man and his 3 teenage sons. she is 10

But where is Mom? She will have to be involved.

(this of course assumes that Mom still has parental rights)


Why do you feel the child would be at risk in this apartment? Do you have anything to suggest there would be a danger?

 

[Duranie]

Dad has the right to be in the childs life and he certainly has rights to custody over you. You have no rights here at all unless Dad gives them to you.